though two were elves , and one was a faerie , even smaller than the dwarf and fluttering above the others with butterfly-like wings .
Each dramatic arrival was accompanied by an angry flinch from the headmistress . She surveyed her staff , waiting for further theatrics before fiercely rubbing her temples .
“ Yes , thank you for … that .” She turned to address the students . “ As freshman , you will spend much of your time on introductory Will and Elemental Magic . Your Will instructor will be Seer Brokk , son of Mokk .” She gestured to the shabbily dressed orc .
Seer Brokk walked directly to the podium . He adjusted the microphone and grinned .
“ I will mold your minds into finely crafted tools . Under my tutelage , you will find the limits of your abilities , then surpass them .”
He nodded once and returned to the others . Garrett gulped and pressed further back into his seat , but Connor leaned forward , eager .
“ Sure ,” the headmistress said . “ Next is Professor Skreed . He will be leading your Elemental Magic classes .”
A wiry old elf approached the podium , grinning . He leaned on a cane with a heavy stoop , and he was alarmingly thin . He wore long sleeves and a sweater vest despite the summer weather . While most elves ’ eyes were solid black , his were faded to a cloudy gray and his face was a map of wrinkles , unusual to see on the long-lived yet eternally youthful elven race . He must be insanely old , Connor thought . “ Hello there ,” he said in a creaky rasp . He adjusted his spectacles . “ I look forward to teaching you about the basic components of the world , and how to manipulate them in new